The Scholar and The Crown

17

Maude

"Maude!" I immediately opened my eyes when someone blasted through my door and screamed my name. "Maude!" It was Maisei's voice.

I was about to get out of bed when she plopped down beside me, her face pale and eyes wide with fear. "What is it, Mai?" I asked, sitting up and yawning.

I took a quick glance at the window beside my bed. The moon was high, casting a silvery light through the glass, and the stars twinkled like scattered diamonds. It's midnight already.

I rubbed my eyes and returned my gaze to her. She looked like she had just seen a ghost.

"S-something is throwing rocks at my window!" she shivered as she gripped my shoulders, her voice trembling.

Wait, what?

"Are you sure? Maybe you just forgot to lock the window and the wind started to rattle it?" I asked her. She was about to cry as she shook her head vigorously.

"No, Maude, I'm sure! The sound was clear. Someone is out there," she insisted, her voice breaking.

"Let me see your room," I said, gently removing her hands from my shoulders and getting out of bed. I slipped my feet into my slippers and noticed she was barefoot, a clear sign of how frightened she was.

We stepped into the hallway, the cold stone floor chilling our feet. Maisei clutched the back of my sleepwear, sticking close as I held a candle to light our way. The flickering flame cast long, dancing shadows on the walls.

"Are you sure the other tutors aren't pranking you?" I asked again as we walked. Her grip tightened on my sleepwear, and she shook her head.

"At this hour? I doubt that," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I sighed, the echo of our footsteps the only sound in the silent corridor.

When we finally reached her room, I noticed the door was wide open. "Wear your slippers, I'll go and see the window. Which one?" She pointed to the window near her bed, and I set the candle down on her study table before approaching it.

As I peeked outside, I saw that the window was locked securely. However, on the flower bed just below, a scattering of small pebbles lay amidst the petals.

I turned back to Maisei, who was crouched on her bed, her knees pulled up to her chest. Her eyes were wide with fear.

"Someone really is throwing rocks at your window," I confirmed, trying to keep my voice calm.

"Maisei, let's go to Laura's room in the meantime," I suggested, offering her my hand. "S-so, someone is really throwing rocks, right?" she asked, her voice filled with concern and a hint of disbelief.

"Yes, but let's go to Laura first so I can report it to someone," I reassured her. Maybe one of the palace knights would be willing to investigate.

She grabbed my hand immediately, her fingers cold and trembling. We made our way to Laura's room, the candlelight flickering as we walked. When we arrived, I knocked softly but urgently on the door.

After a moment, Maisei opened the door, her eyes bleary with sleep. "What's going on?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"Someone's throwing rocks at Maisie's window," I explained quickly. "Can you stay with her while I find a knight to report this to?"

Laura's eyes widened in alarm, but she nodded, fully awake now. "Of course."

Maisei clung to Laura as she entered the room. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.

I left them with an assuring smile and stepped into the dark hallways, illuminated by flickering candles mounted on the walls.

Who would actually do that kind of thing? What are they, children? And also, on palace grounds? 

Whoever the culprit is, they have some serious guts.

As I exited the Kaye Manor, I made my way to the section where Laura's room was located. The tutors' rooms were on the second floor, so kudos to the culprit for managing to throw stones that high.

I facepalmed when I realized I had forgotten to ask Maisei if she had gotten into a fight with someone. Just as the thought crossed my mind, I suddenly heard footsteps approaching.

Someone is coming!

Shoot, I need to hide!

Panicking, I looked to my left and right, searching for a hiding spot.

"What are you doing here?" The prince appeared in front of me, making me jolt. "Are you the culprit?" I immediately asked, my voice a mix of surprise and accusation.

The prince's brows furrowed in confusion. "Culprit? What?" His eyes were wide with genuine bewilderment.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "Someone's been throwing rocks at Lady Maisei's window. I came out to investigate and then I heard footsteps... I thought you might be the one doing it."

The prince shook his head, his expression clearing to one of understanding. "No, I'm not the one. I was out for a late-night walk to clear my head and saw you sneaking around. I thought you might be up to something suspicious."

"What?!" The prince exclaimed, his voice loud in the quiet night.

Before I could respond, I heard more footsteps approaching.

"Shoot, we need to hide!" I whispered urgently to him.

In a panic, I grabbed his wrist and pulled him into a hidden corner behind a tall hedge. We crouched down, trying to stay as still and quiet as possible. The sound of the approaching footsteps grew louder, echoing in the stillness of the night.

The prince's breath was warm in my ear as he whispered, "Who could it be?"

Why is he so close, by the way?

Before I could process the thought, a familiar voice of a lady reached our ears, laced with frustration. "Why can't I hit it enough to scare her?!"

We peeked around the edge of the hedge, and to our astonishment, we saw a lady in the moonlight, picking up a stone from the ground. She wound up her arm, preparing to throw it at Maisei's window again.

It was too dark to see her face but her voice was definitely familiar. 

I've heard it somewhere.

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